How long can Labour’s Eurosceptic leader keep Europhile members happy?

11 January 2019

Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour leader in 2015, and again in 2016, with support from members, partly on a pledge to involve the rank and file more closely in policymaking, as part of a “democratisation” of the party. If Labour is seen to ignore the wishes of its members on a fundamental issue, the backlash could be ugly. “Hell hath no fury like a party member scorned,” says Professor Tim Bale, who points out that Tony Blair was idolised by members before they turned strongly against him.